JJC Spring 2011?

skimpstah · Dec 17, 2010

I'm loving this thread guys...tons of great information. Congratulations to all the Spring 2011 incoming 150 class! I got into the evening program. excited, nervous, you know, a little bit of everything. Glad we have this site to help each other out...support will mean everything in this program. Good luck everyone!

sweetpea9 · Dec 28, 2010

haven't been on here in a bit so i just wanted to thank you, lil rn, for all of this great info! super nice of you to keep coming on here and sharing what you know! and congrats on your semester grades!! that's awesome!! how do you think the semester was overall? tough? easier than 1st? i got the schedule for 2nd semester and you were so right...a TON packed into that first week!!! but i'm super excited about starting in OB. what does the 3rd semester schedule look like? is it stil 3 days? it's so tough trying to plan your life around this program!! :)

LiLwannabRN · Jan 4, 2011

haven't been on here in a bit so i just wanted to thank you, lil rn, for all of this great info! super nice of you to keep coming on here and sharing what you know! and congrats on your semester grades!! that's awesome!! how do you think the semester was overall? tough? easier than 1st? i got the schedule for 2nd semester and you were so right...a ton packed into that first week!!! but i'm super excited about starting in ob. what does the 3rd semester schedule look like? is it stil 3 days? it's so tough trying to plan your life around this program!! :)

sweetpea! thank you very much! im going to be honest 2nd semester was harder for me than 1st. not necessarily the content itself but the just the overall craziness and amount of things going on. ati started 2nd semester plus having the rotations to go through the schedule itself was what i found to be the most difficult to deal with. my best advice to to get your care plans down, you will have one due for every rotation for clinical. you will do awesome!!! i liked ob too and med/surg is alot of info but it is definitely do-able. study for the ati's but don't beat yourself silly because of them. 3rd semester schedule is still 3 days. i start in med/surg for theory on tuesday/thursday and have clinical topics on tuesday after theory. my clinical day is friday. then it switches around a bit for my 2nd rotation (med.surg again) then i go to mental health. scheduling is a headache for sure, but you just have to keep telling yourself there is a light at the end of the tunnel. we always find ways to make it work, and for me i just keep in mind i graduate at the end of this year. 2nd semester will fly by (it did for me). it is alot more in depth material about actual diseases and caring for them (etc etc). feel free to pm me if you have any questions about instructors or what not! i love to help!! i had someone in semesters before me that helped me and gave me the heads up on things. so i want to share what i know because it can be a big help and a sense of reassurance. :)

LiLwannabRN · Jan 11, 2011

good luck on your first weeks for those of you just starting out!!! remember to take it one step at a time! you will all do great!!! :)

skimpstah · Jan 11, 2011

good luck on your first weeks for those of you just starting out!!! remember to take it one step at a time! you will all do great!!! :)

thanks! it was a bit much to say the least, but very doable. i think the hardest part is differentiating between what is covered in theory and what is covered in topics. it's all nurs 150 anyway, but they're still different...that was a bit confusing. :confused: other than that, i loved it. good luck to you in this semester as well! we can do it!

hopefull2011 · Jan 16, 2011

good luck on your first weeks for those of you just starting out!!! remember to take it one step at a time! you will all do great!!! :)

thanks! i does seem a little confusing and overwhelming but i'm sure we will all be fine! good luck to you also in 3rd semester!! i have a little question about the theory exams. i'm assuming there will be a lot more on the tests than what is actually lectured on in class and that it is a must to read the chapters thouroughly?! or do the lectures pretty much reflect what will be on the test? i'm just trying to get a feel for what to focus on because so far there is a lot in the chapter that wasn't covered in lecture....any input would be greatly appreciated! i had my current instructor last semester for nurs 100 and she would always mention how freaked out her 1st semester students were about their grades on this exam or that, so it got me a little worried as to how hard these tests are really going to be!!

LiLwannabRN · Jan 17, 2011

hello! glad to here you are getting through your first few weeks just fine!! as far as the theory tests go..i would use the notes you recieve in class and focus on those. i rarely opened the book 1st semester..not that i push that approach but the notes we recieved in class were pretty to the point as to what will be on the exams. there is alot of things that throughout the semesters will not be covered in class and aren't even mentioned even though they are in the books. i would look through your notes and if you are uncertain look that particular point up in the book and emphasize on what was said in class. don't overwhelm yourself but trying to get all the "suggested" readings done. skim through them and look for important points. we always asked before the exam for a breakdown of how many questions for each particular subject and that helped to know what areas would be focused on more heavily. i'm a note card-aholic..but just find a particular way to study whether it be notecard or retyping/writing notes from class..or skimming through the book and adding to the notes in class. once you get that down the anxiety will go down with it. hope that helps!! =) :nurse:

hopefull2011 · Jan 20, 2011

Thanks for the tips! I'm not going to stress about reading every page of the assigned reading anymore. I just want the first exam to hurry up and get here so I'll know what to expect for future tests! I'm really stressing about the tests!

LiLwannabRN · Jan 21, 2011

don't stress. if you know the information your responsible for you will be just fine =). don't let the crazy grading scale get to you either...it did to me for a bit. and remember you are the cream of the crop your here for a reason and you can definitly do it. it seems like alot of information and it is but pull out the most important aspects and always think the nursing process. know your lovely past nurses like florence (i remember those being tested on..could be wrong). if you have any questions before the test feel free to ask i'll help the best i can. =) :nurse:

LiLwannabRN · Mar 4, 2011

Hope everyone is enjoying school!!!! Almost half way done with the semester! WOOO WOOO!!! :yeah:

sweetpea9 · Mar 30, 2011

how are you doing in your 3rd semester, lilrn?? 2nd semester has been ok. you're right, definitely a lot more info but i think the fact that the anxiety from 1st semester is gone makes a world of difference. i'm getting through this easier than i think i got through last semester. how is 3rd? and how was the pn predictor? i'm stressing about that one. did you did for your lpn boards? if so, how was that? hope you're breezing by and thanks again for all of your helpful input!!! :nurse:

LiLwannabRN · Mar 31, 2011

Hello! ahh..the PN predictor..its not as bad as one may think..i retook all the practice ATI tests before i did the PN predictor and passsed..its over everything you've learned so its hard to generalize. There was alot of prioritizing questions and things from first semester (helping someone with dentures, assistave devices etc etc.) If you are doing good so far ..you will be just fine come the PN predictor!. 3rd semester..has been good!! A little less hectic than 2nd semester was i take my last test for Med/Surg 2 tomorrow..the first rotation was awesome Collen is a GREAT instructor..i can't say the same for the instructor for this rotation..PM me and ill give you the heads up i think everyone has her at some point..Starting Mental Health monday and pretty excited! We've been in the ICU/ER and Cath lab this clinical rotation which i absolutely LOVE!!!!! Alot more opportunities for skills..and it keeps you busy!! No i didnt take LPN boards..i was originally going to..then decided not to..i work at a very flexible job right now and although i would like the experience im not sure if i want to take on the added stress at this moment. Everyone in my classes who has taken the LPN boards passed!! The school has a 99-100% pass rate for the first time board takers (very good!). Suggestion for next semester..Start using your ATI stuff! Seriously!!! it will be a big help come studying and the ATI proctored exams are worth 20 points each in third semester~ (theres 3 for a total of 60 points) if you dont meet the proficiency level you have to remediate for 1/2 point..yuck! If theres anything I can help with let me know! Did you have Peds yet? :nurse: